Laurel: To making progress. Indiana University of Pennsylvania jumped a hurdle this week when it received pre-accreditation status for its College of Osteopathic Medicine.
That means IUP can begin recruiting students and preparing for classes to start in fall 2027. If all goes according to plan, the school would become the first public college in Pennsylvania with a college of osteopathic medicine.
That matters beyond prestige. Western Pennsylvania — especially rural communities — continues to struggle with access to doctors and other healthcare providers. Training physicians closer to those communities increases the likelihood some will stay and practice there.
Pre-accreditation is not full accreditation, and medical education is expensive and complicated. Making the school a success will not be a guarantee and it won’t be easy.
But this was an important and hard-earned step forward.
Laurel: To carrying on. Trinity United Church of Christ in Indiana Township is not allowing tragedy to interrupt its mission to help others.
The fire that gutted the 150-year-old church last week could have forced members to focus solely on rebuilding. Instead, leaders are making sure support continues for local food banks that depend on Trinity’s outreach.
That says something important about the role churches and civic groups play in communities. Buildings matter, but the real strength of an institution is the people and purpose behind it.
Even while finding temporary worship space and beginning reconstruction plans, Trinity continues serving neighbors in need. That’s putting purpose first.
On the watch list: To ups and downs. The future of the Monongahela Incline is something to watch.
Pittsburgh’s inclines are more than public transportation. They are pieces of the city’s identity, which is why every shutdown draws attention far beyond delayed rides.
The latest issue appears relatively minor. Pittsburgh Regional Transit says moisture in an emergency stop button triggered the shutdown that stranded two passengers last week.
Still, repeated incidents raise questions about the long-term health of a system dating to the 1800s. Preserving the inclines means continuing to invest in the maintenance and modernization needed to keep them safe and reliable.